The Top Shelf Big Band keeps the sounds of live Jazz and Big Band very much alive (and swingin’!) in the Southbay and they are bringing their lively, danceable rhythms to the East Bay at The Saddle Rack, this Thursday night!

Swing Dancing is THE American social dance art form and every Thursday Night, The Saddle Rack in Fremont definitely swings!

For those who want to brush up on their steps before the open dancing, SPECIAL GUEST INSTRUCTORS Mike Quebec and Diana Mo will teach the beginning drop in East Coast Swing lesson with a”Lindy Hop flavor.”

After the lesson, our dee-jays spin a variety of Jazz, Big Band, Jump Blues, Boogie Woogie, Western Swing, Do Wop, and Rockabilly…and of course, there’s always a LIVE Band!

This week’s dee-jay is Jumpin’ Jeff Clark, who’s energetic jazz cuts will keep you up on the floor and your feet movin’ with the heat!

Our Thursday’s Swingin’ At The Rack is the perfect way to meet new people and let loose on the dance floor. It’s also a great way for couples to spend an enjoyable night out.

If you like vintage/retro dance music, then Swingin’ At The Rack is for you!

The Saddle Rack is located at 42011 Boscell Road, Fremont, CA

Doors open at 7 pm and close at 12:30 am.

Only $5 per person for the drop in lesson and the Open Dancing. Beginning swing dance lesson starts at 7:30 p.m.

Want to see our guest instructors? You can see Mike and Diana dance in a past promotional video that they did for a workshop a few months ago here on YouTube at:

I’m writing with some sad news. Akira Chiwaki, a local swing dancer, died last week. Akira had been dancing swing since 1999 and went out to various venues on a regular basis.

There will be a memorial service on Sunday, April 13 from 2-3pm
Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley
1 Lawson Rd, Kensington, CA 94707
in the Sanctuary

Also, I’m collecting remembrances of Akira from dancers to give to his family. If you knew him, please take a moment to write something you appreciated about him, or maybe a memory/story you have of him.

Please send your appreciations/remembrances to Brandee@CuriosityInMotion.com by Friday April 11th.

Do spread the word to any other dancers who may have known and enjoyed dancing with this sweet man.

Swingin At The Rack, a weekly retro swing dance party in Fremont, will be celebrating it’s One Year Anniversary on Thursday, March 27 at 7:00pm!!

The California Honeydrops & The Boilermaker Jazz Band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania featuring Clint Baker will play live for the very first time in the San Francisco Bay Area.

We will start off with Dance Lessons at 7:30pm. There will be Special Dance Performances throughout the evening and special guest DJ’s spinning your favorite swing tunes between sets.

Watch the Birdee, a unique open air photo booth will be on site and provide amazing photos at the click of a button. It is an exciting and unique photographic experience where they take the traditional photo booth to the next level of fun! You get to be in control of capturing the magical moments at Swingin At The Rack’s “One Year Anniversary.” www.watchthebirdee.com

Plus, FREE food, snacks and desserts all night long, three dance floors to choose from, mechanical bull riding and Now & Then swing dance clips all night long on the 5 big screens throughout the venue!!!

Nothing but 2 hours full of Dips, Tricks, Slides, and other non-aerial flashy swing dance steps…more than you can shake a swingin’ stick at!

Whether it’s Lindy Hop, Rockabilly Jiving, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, or just some kind of show offy partnered performance dance art, you and your pard will dig it!

Brought to you by the Bay Area’s resident specifically retro-teen lindy dance duo, Mike Quebec and Diana Mo, this workshop runs at the nice price of $10 per person/$20 per couple if you two rsvp in advance, before February 22. ($15 per person, $30 per couple on the day of.)

Also, stay tuned to this page, as we’ll have a demo dvd of some of what we’ll be teaching.

And…don’t forget, later that night, Handsome Hawk Valentine is having his rockabilly show in San Francisco, so after our workshop, try out the moves for real over there!

The Big Band sounds of The Lyratones keep swing alive in the Fremont Area this Thursday night! For those who love to swing it smooth, this Thursday night at the Saddle Rack is definitely the place to be! They have the perfect rhythms for lindy hoppers, bal dancers, shaggers, and just swingers who want music that makes you want to dance!

For those who want to brush up on their steps before the open dancing, Johnny Lee and Shannon Warf teach the beginning drop in East Coast Swing lesson, while Margot and Richard teach the extra Balboa drop in classes.

After the lesson, our dee-jays spin a variety of Jazz, Big Band, Jump Blues, Boogie Woogie, Western Swing, Do Wop, Rockabilly, and Electro Swing…and of course, there’s always a LIVE Band!

This week’s dee-jay is our hoppin’ host himself, Johnny Blue Jeans!

Swingin’ At The Rack is the perfect way to meet new people and let loose on the dance floor. It’s also a great way for couples to spend an enjoyable night out.

Also, we will now be networking with Fremont’s ’50′s Diner on Fremont Boulevard! We’ll keep you all updated as to that, but once it’s all set, order a meal there and get a FREE PASS to Swingin’ At The Rack!

The Saddle Rack is located at 42011 Boscell Road, Fremont, CA

Doors open at 7 pm and close at 12:30 am.

Only $5 per person for the drop in lesson with Johnny and Shannon and the Open Dancing. Beginning swing dance lessons with Johnny and Shannon start at 7:30 p.m.

$10 additional for the 8 p.m. Drop In Balboa lesson with Margot and Richard on the second dance floor.

Open Dancing to Dee-Jay Johnny Blue Jeans and The Lyratones is at 9:00 p.m.

Advanced Tickets:
$20 Per Guest ~ $15 for Seniors*
Anyone in a uniform or with a military ID past or present is FREE. Buy your tickets online here or call 510-234-3512.
Admission at the door (if space available): $25 Per Guest ~ $20 for Seniors*

Are you ready for a night of Free Swing Dance Lessons and Social Dancing?!

Come by yourself or bring some friends with you for this amazing night full of prizes and performances! This is a great opportunity for people who are interested in learning about swing dancing, and there’s something for everyone: